Where to Find British Food in Buenos Aires

There comes a moment in every British expat's life when they would pay £20 for a proper bacon sandwich. This guide is for that moment.

Buenos Aires is not a British food desert. It is just expensive, slightly hidden, and requires knowing where to look.

The British Delis

The British Shop (Palermo)

Run by a British-Argentine family, this small deli stocks Yorkshire Tea, Marmite, Heinz baked beans, HP Sauce, Cadbury chocolate, and Walkers crisps. Prices are 2-3x UK levels, but the stock is reliable.

• Yorkshire Tea (80 bags): £12-14
• Marmite (250g): £8-10
• Heinz baked beans (415g): £4-5
• Walkers crisps (various): £3-4 per bag

Address: Palermo Soho. Search "The British Shop Buenos Aires" — they do not have a website but are active on Instagram.

The Little Market (Belgrano)

A European deli with a small British section. Better for continental imports, but stocks some British cheeses and biscuits.

High-End Supermarkets

Jumbo, Disco, and Coto (the big Argentine chains) occasionally have imported British products in their "imported goods" sections, usually in Palermo, Belgrano, and Puerto Madero branches. Stock is unpredictable — one week they have Colman's mustard, the next week nothing.

El Granero (various locations)

An organic and imported food chain. Stocks some British products alongside American and European imports. Good for porridge oats, marmalade, and speciality teas.

Online Options

British Corner Shop

The UK-based online store delivers to Argentina. Shipping is expensive (£30-50 for a standard box), but if you want a year's supply of Yorkshire Tea, it is often cheaper than buying locally.

Amazon UK + Forwarder

Some British expats use forwarding services (Shipito, MyUS) to ship Amazon UK orders to Argentina. Be aware of Argentine import restrictions and duties — packages over $1,000 or containing electronics often get stuck in customs.

What You Can Make Locally

Some British staples are easy to recreate with Argentine ingredients:

Full English breakfast:

• Bacon: Argentine "panceta" is different but acceptable. For British-style back bacon, try artisan producers like Obrador Patagonia or La Carnicería.
• Sausages: British-style sausages are made by several Buenos Aires butchers. Try "The Sausage Man" (delivery) or artisan markets.
• Eggs: Excellent and cheap (£1.50 for 6 free-range)
• Beans: Heinz is available, or make your own with Argentine navy beans and tomato sauce
• Mushrooms: Available year-round
• Tomatoes: Excellent in summer
• Black pudding: Extremely hard to find. Bring it in your suitcase (sealed, declare it) or learn to live without.

Sunday roast:

• Beef: Obviously excellent. Ask your butcher for "asado" cuts and roast slowly.
• Potatoes: Argentine papas are waxier than British Maris Piper, but work fine.
• Yorkshire puddings: You need proper plain flour and beef dripping. Plain flour is available; beef dripping you will need to render yourself from a good butcher.
• Gravy: Bisto is occasionally available at British delis, or make from meat juices.

Fish and chips:

• Cod: Available at good fishmongers, but expensive (£15-20/kg). Hake (merluza) is the local substitute.
• Batter: Self-raising flour is hard to find. Use plain flour + baking powder.
• Chips: Argentine potatoes are excellent for chips.
• Malt vinegar: Available at British delis or make your own from beer.

What to Bring from the UK

If you are visiting the UK or having visitors, ask them to bring:

• Yorkshire Tea (lots of it)
• Marmite
• Cadbury chocolate (Argentine chocolate is different — more milky, less cocoa)
• British bacon
• Black pudding
• Cheddar (Argentine Cheddar exists but is mild and rubbery)
• Self-raising flour
• Bisto gravy granules
• Colman's mustard
• Pickled onions
• Marmalade (Argentine marmalade is too sweet)

The Price of Nostalgia

British food in Buenos Aires is a luxury, not a necessity. A shopping bag of British comforts costs £50-80. For context, that same £50 buys a week's worth of excellent Argentine food for two people.

Most British expats adopt a hybrid approach: they eat Argentine food 80% of the time and reserve British treats for Sunday mornings, bad days, and homesick moments.

Pro Tips

Learn to love Argentine substitutes: Dulce de leche is better than golden syrup. Argentine ice cream is better than British ice cream. Malbec is better than most British wine. Focus on what is better, not what is missing.

Make your own: If you cannot buy it, make it. British expats in Buenos Aires have learned to bake their own scones, brew their own ginger beer, and cure their own bacon. It becomes a hobby.

Join the British community: The British Society of Buenos Aires and various Facebook groups organise food swaps, Sunday roasts, and imports. A British expat with a suitcase coming from the UK is treated like a returning hero if they have space for tea and biscuits.